Ultraviolet Adhesives

Ultraviolet Adhesives

Ultraviolet adhesives were an impressive step in the adhesive manufacturing industry, because it gave the process more speed with equal amounts of durability. The adhesive itself may be epoxy or acrylic, since the ultraviolet part refers to how it adheres to an object, not what it is made of. Epoxy ultraviolet adhesives can be modified with various additives for special uses. They may be electrically or thermally conductive, like metal conductive adhesives, or formulated to reduce shrinkage. Other modifications include increased impact resistance and the ability to withstand very high or low temperatures. Acrylic ultraviolet adhesives are modified at the chemical level. They have wide-ranging properties that can include environmental resistance and impact resistance. Other basic materials, such as silicone and vinyl can be adhered by way of ultraviolet light, although depending on which chemical base is chosen the speed and corrosion strength varies a bit. All types of ultraviolet adhesives may adhere to all sorts of products, including ceramics, wood, concrete, glass, paper and metal.

Ultraviolet light may be applied to the adhesive in a variety of ways, including UV ovens, hand-held devices, UV curing conveyors and spot curing lamps for small areas. More specifically, these lamps are called electrodeless lamps and mercury discharge lamps. The various materials used in UV adhesive processes respond to the ultraviolet treatment because they are sprayed with a chemical called photoinitiators, which are light absorbent. Ultraviolet adhesives bring many advantages to manufacturers. They are easy to use, cure rapidly and consistent and flexible in processes. UV adhesives also reduce environmental concerns because they don't use solvents to make an adhesive harden and the solvents used release harmful emissions into the atmosphere. They are used in various settings from glass, metal and magnet bonding to dentistry, medical device manufacturing and fiber optics. Another common place application of UV adhesives is the shoe industry, which must bind the soles and body of a shoe together. A shoe factory also requires the process to be quick and durable just like the UV adhesive process guarantees.